{"package_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01670","decision_granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01670-1","petitioner_identifier":"Ashley Wirges","is_minor":0,"age_at_vaccination":32.0,"age_unit_raw":"years","vaccine_type":"influenza","vaccination_date":"2018-10-19","condition_raw":"shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA)","condition_category":"SIRVA","autism_spectrum_adjacent":0,"outcome":"compensated","award_amount_usd":116113,"decision_date":"2024-04-08","extraction_version":"gemini-v2","extracted_at":"2026-04-30T01:10:31.930915+00:00","number_of_concurrent_vaccines":1,"dose_number":null,"time_to_onset_days":0,"theory_of_causation":"Petitioner Ashley Wirges, age 32, received an influenza vaccine in her left shoulder on October 19, 2018. She alleged a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). The respondent conceded that Petitioner met the criteria for a Table injury, having no prior history of left shoulder pain, experiencing pain within 48 hours of vaccination, and having symptoms limited to the vaccinated shoulder. The injury required conservative treatment, including physical therapy and steroid injections, and ultimately surgery for subacromial decompression. Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran ruled on entitlement on May 10, 2021, finding Petitioner entitled to compensation. A subsequent decision on damages was issued on April 8, 2024. The Special Master awarded $115,000.00 for pain and suffering and $1,113.29 for unreimbursable medical expenses, totaling $116,113.29. Petitioner was represented by Leah VaSahnja Durant, and Respondent was represented by Ronalda Elnetta Kosh. The public decision does not name specific medical experts or detail the precise mechanism of injury beyond it being a SIRVA Table injury.","is_death":0,"date_of_death":null,"petition_filed_date":"2019-10-29","case_summary":"Ashley Wirges, a 32-year-old schoolteacher and track coach, filed a petition on October 29, 2019, alleging she suffered a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) after receiving an influenza vaccine in her left shoulder on October 19, 2018. She had no prior history of shoulder pain or dysfunction. On November 12, 2018, 24 days after vaccination, Ms. Wirges presented with left shoulder pain that had begun after her flu shot and worsened with activity. She underwent conservative treatment, including physical therapy and steroid injections. An MRI showed very mild infraspinatus and teres minor tendinopathy. Her orthopedist assessed her with left shoulder rotator cuff tendinopathy. After a period of improvement, her pain returned, and she underwent left shoulder arthroscopy with subacromial decompression on May 19, 2020. Following surgery, she reported significant relief but continued to experience some instability. The respondent conceded entitlement to compensation, recognizing her injury as a Table injury for SIRVA. The parties could not agree on damages, leading to a hearing before Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. Petitioner sought $125,000.00 for pain and suffering and $1,113.29 for unreimbursable medical expenses. Respondent argued for a lower amount, suggesting her injury was mild and that she may have reinjured her shoulder through track activities. Chief Special Master Corcoran found that Ms. Wirges's case was a SIRVA injury that required surgical intervention. He noted that while her pain ratings were objectively low and there was a ten-month gap in treatment, the injury was severe enough to necessitate surgery. He awarded Ms. Wirges $115,000.00 for pain and suffering and $1,113.29 for unreimbursable medical expenses, totaling $116,113.29. The decision was issued on April 8, 2024.","is_minor_inferred":0,"is_pediatric_broad":0,"special_master":"Brian H. Corcoran","petitioner_identifier_original":null,"caption_petitioner_name":"Ashley Wirges","petitioner_attorney_name":"Leah VaSahnja Durant","petitioner_attorney_firm":"Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC","petitioner_attorney_location":"Washington, DC","adjudicator_name":null,"caption_people_backfilled_at":"2026-05-05 23:44:03","attorney_canonical_keys":"|leah-durant|","firm_canonical_key":"law-offices-of-leah-v-durant","package_title":"WIRGES v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","canonical_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01670","plain_text_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01670.txt","json_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/case/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01670.json","source_documents":[{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01670-0","title":"WIRGES v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC ORDER/RULING (Originally filed: 05/10/2021) regarding 24 Ruling on Entitlement Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (sw) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2021-06-10","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01670/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01670-0/pdf","pdf_bytes":260365,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'ruling on entitlement'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01670/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01670-0"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01670-1","title":"WIRGES v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 03/05/2024) regarding 56 DECISION of Special Master Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2024-04-08","pdf_url":"https://api.govinfo.gov/packages/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01670/granules/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01670-1/pdf","pdf_bytes":297796,"triage_decision":"keep","triage_reason":"docketText matches keep keyword 'decision of special master'","download_status":"ok","registry_pdf_url":"https://vicp-registry.org/pdf/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01670/USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01670-1"},{"granule_id":"USCOURTS-cofc-1_19-vv-01670-2","title":"WIRGES v. SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES","docket_text":"PUBLIC DECISION (Originally filed: 12/27/2024) regarding 67 DECISION of Special Master - Fees Signed by Chief Special Master Brian H. Corcoran. (ppa) Service on parties made.","date_issued":"2025-01-27","pdf_url":null,"pdf_bytes":null,"triage_decision":"skip","triage_reason":"fees-only decision (attorney compensation)","download_status":"skipped"}]}